Toyota’s path to producing all-electric vehicles has been a long one, highlighted by the RAV4 EV model it fielded to fleets in response to the California Air Resources Board’s Zero Emission Mandate in the 1990s. Green Car Journal editors test drove variations of this small electric SUV during those early years of the modern electric vehicle’s development. We were impressed by Toyota’s exploration of the potential market for battery EVs at the time. To lend perspective on this automaker’s electric vehicle development, we present this article on the Toyota RAV4 EV pulled from our archives, just as it ran in our January 2002 issue.
Excerpted from January 2002 issue: Many thought the RAV4 EV – the electrically motivated compact sport utility vehicle from Toyota – was gone, the victim of a completed agreement with the State of California in the late 1990s. But it’s not. Toyota Motor Sales USA is bringing the sporty little EV back, this time making it available to retail customers in California, not just fleets. Sales are slated to begin in February 2002.
RAV4 EVs made their mark during the late-1990s as hundreds of these were leased and placed in fleet service. Some 700 of the 900 RAV4 EVs were in use in California. That occurred because of requirements imposed on automakers, including Toyota, by the California Air Resources Board, the result of the Memoranda of Agreement that accompanied postponement of the 1998 Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.
That was then, this is now. No mandate exists this year, although all automakers are feeling the pressure of the impending 2003 ZEV rule that will require major automakers to sell large numbers of EVs to meet a 2 percent threshold. In retrospect, maybe Toyota’s move to bring the RAV4 EV back isn’t surprising after all.
The RAV4 EV is powered by a maintenance-free, permanent magnet motor that produces 67 horsepower (50kW) and 140 lb.-ft. torque, providing an electronically governed top speed of 79 mph. Front wheel drive is via a single speed transaxle, with reverse provided by backward motor rotation.
A sealed, 288 volt nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery pack provides energy to the motor. This pack, comprised of 24 12-volt modules, is located beneath the SUV’s floor to minimize intrusion into the passenger compartment and optimize the vehicle’s center of gravity. Charging this pack requires five to six hours.
Stopping power is supplied by an anti-lock and regenerative braking system that utilizes solid aluminum front discs and steel rear drums. The regenerative system returns energy to the batteries whenever the RAV4 EV is coasting or braking.
Time spent behind the wheel of the RAV4 EV has shown this vehicle to be fun, dependable, and capable of fulfilling most daily missions with ease, so long as they fit within the vehicle’s range capabilities. Since an electric motor produces peak torque immediately, the RAV4 EV offers good off-the-line acceleration but a rather modest 0-60 mph elapsed time of about 18 seconds. Driving range is between 80 to 100 miles per charge.
Seating for five and ample space for cargo is provided in this five-door compact SUV. The interior offers the high level of function and comfort expected of a Toyota product, featuring such standard amenities as split fold-down rear seats, heated driver and front-passenger seats, adjustable-height front seatbelt anchors, and dual front airbags. Convenience is well accommodated by a heated windshield, rear-window wiper and defogger, and power door mirrors, windows, and door locks. An AM/FM stereo system with CD provides the needed tunes. Rear seat heaters and traction control are available options for cold climate use.
One of the advantages of electric vehicles is their use of heat-pump type air conditioning, an innovation that allows climate control functions to operate while a vehicle is turned off and parked. RAV4 EV drivers have the ability to set a timer and adjust their vehicle’s pre-heat or pre-cool function so the SUV’s interior is at a desired comfort level regardless of outside temperatures.
Toyota says the RAV4 EV will have a rather lofty suggested retail price of $42,000, although a $9,000 California Air Resources Board incentive and $3,000 federal tax credit brings the price of entry down to $30,000. This includes an in-home charger. Three introductory lease options will be offered that also include the use of the charger.
Every major metro market in California will soon find a participating RAV4 EV dealer. While initial sales are aimed exclusively in California due to Toyota’s need to address this state’s 2003 ZEV mandate, success here would certainly find the RAV4 EV making its way to other markets soon enough, starting with those poised to follow California’s lead by adopting the state’s ZEV requirements.
Toyota aims to make it easy for buyers to connect with their new electric vehicle. Like the Prius gas/electric hybrid, customers will have the ability to order the RAV4 EV online and take delivery through a participating dealer, as is the case with the Prius currently.
Manufactured in Tennessee on Volkswagen’s MEB modular world electric car platform, the 2021 VW ID.4 presents a new and compelling all-electric SUV that enters a segment presently dominated by Tesla, Chevrolet, and a select few others. What ID.4 brings to the battery electric SUV segment that Tesla doesn’t is price, coming in at a base cost of $39,995, some $10,000 less than Tesla’s Model Y.
For this, electric vehicle buyers get SUV hatchback utility, three-foot legroom in all seating positions, and ample luggage capacity for 5 adults. VW estimates ID.4 driving range at 250 mile on a full charge, and additionally points out that an additional 60 miles of range is attainable in just 10 minutes from a public DC quick-charge station.
Sporting a stature similar to that of Honda’s CR-V, the Volkswagen ID.4 rides on a steel-framed architecture featuring strut-like front suspension and multi-link suspension with coil-over shocks at the rear. This, combined with a long wheelbase and short overhangs, promises a smooth ride dynamic. Braking is handled by front disk and rear drum brakes.
A single permanent magnet, synchronous electric motor directs power to the rear wheels. The ID.4 produces 201 horsepower and 228 lb-ft torque that’s expected to deliver a 60 mph sprint in about 8 seconds. Electricity to power the motor is provided by an air-cooled, frame-integrated 82 KWh lithium-ion modular cell battery. An onboard 11KW charger enables three charge modes via standard 110-volt household power, 220-volt Level 2 charging, or DC fast charging. Typical charging with a home wall charger or public Level 2 charger will bring a full charge in 6 to 7 hours.
A minimalistic yet futuresque cabin with segment leading cabin volume rounds out ID.4’s architecture. Features include a driver-centric, touch sensitive steering wheel and a view-forward 5.3-inch ID information center that replaces conventional gauges. Vehicle operation is through steering wheel-mounted switches, with infotainment, climate control, device connectivity, navigation, and travel information accessed through a 10.3 inch touchscreen monitor. A 12 inch monitor is available with the model’s Statement Package.
Topping the list of features is expanded voice command and a communicative dash-integrated ID light bar. ‘Intuitive Start’ driver key fob recognition enables pre-start cabin conditioning capability. Base model upholstery is ballistic cloth with leatherette seat surfaces optional.
Volkswagen’s IQ Drive driver assist and active safety suite features travel assist, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, front and rear sensors, emergency assist, blinds spot monitoring, rear traffic watch and more. All this comes standard along with Pro Navigation, a heated steering wheel and front seats, wireless phone charging, and app connectivity for compatible devices.
The ID.4 EV is available in six colors and two trim levels, Gradient and Statement, for personalization. The optional Gradient package features a black roof, silver roof trim, silver accents, and silver roof rails along with 20-inch wheels to complete the upscale look. Looking forward, while rear-wheel drive is the choice today, Volkswagen is already talking up an all-wheel drive variant for early 2021 along with a lower-priced base model.
As the world’s largest automotive group, Volkswagen has the capacity to change the ever-expanding electric-car landscape. Looking at the style and utility of VW’s all-new ID.4, you can sense the renewed “people’s car” direction of the brand that accompanies the automaker’s commitment to electrification. VW says it’s aiming at selling 20 million electric cars based on the MEB electric car platform by model year 2029. Certainly, the potential for selling in truly significant numbers is reinforced by ID.4 pre-orders selling-out in just weeks, it’s safe to say.
Henrik Fisker, former head of design at such places as Aston Martin, BMW, and Ford, is best known in the ‘green’ car space for the gorgeous Fisker Karma electric grand touring sedan he designed and briefly sold under his own brand in 2012. He’s back in the game at Fisker Inc. with his previously-shown eMotion electric supercar prototype, and now an electric SUV the company says it intends to sell first.
The as-yet unnamed electric SUV is a strategic move since SUVs represent the most important and fastest-growing segment in the automotive market. Powering the Fisker SUV will be front and rear electric motors offering all-wheel drive functionality. An ‘enhanced’ 80 kWh lithium-ion battery pack aims to offer a range approaching 300 miles. The SUV will feature a large heads-up display, a premium interior, and the latest emerging connected technologies…all at a targeted starting price under $40,000.
The eMotion is planned to use Fisker’s flexible solid state batteries under development for even greater range. Fisker claims this next-generation battery technology will offer 2.5 times the energy of today’s lithium-ion batteries.
Fisker has appointed Don Jackson – formerly president of manufacturing at Volkswagen of America and vice-president of manufacturing at Toyota – as the company’s senior advisor of manufacturing. The company says a driveable prototype of the electric SUV will be coming later this year with a production model out the last half of 2021.
Toyota is now selling its all-new RAV4 EV at select California dealerships. This all-electric SUV was jointly developed by Toyota and Tesla Motors, combining a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s most popular SUV model. No interior space was lost due to EV components
Our editors who have driven the RAV4 EV have found it to be an excellent small SUV that performs seamlessly, with an intelligent approach to electric motoring. You’re not left wanting for power, comfort, or the kind of driving experience expected of a Toyota product…it’s all there, but without the inherent drawbacks of burning gasoline. At nearly fifty grand, though, it’s likely not for everyone.
The RAV4 EV’s 154-horsepower AC induction motor drives the front wheels via a fixed-gear, open-differential transaxle. There are two drive modes, ‘Sport’ and ‘Normal.’ In the Sport mode with 273 lb-ft of peak torque brought to bear, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds and has a top speed of 100 mph. In the Normal mode with 218 lb-ft at the ready, acceleration to 60 mph takes 8.6 seconds and top speed is 85 mph.
Its liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery is a first for Toyota. Battery thermal management systems provide consistent performance in a variety of climates. The battery pack is mounted low and to the center of the vehicle, contributing to a more sedan-like ride. Two charge modes are available, with a Standard Mode charging up to 35 kilowatt-hours for an EPA-estimated range rating of 92 miles, optimizing battery life over range. An Extended Mode charges the battery to its full capacity of 41.8 kilowatt-hours to provide an anticipated range of 113 miles. The battery is warranted for eight years or 100,000 miles.
A drag coefficient of 0.30, the lowest of any SUV in the world, is an improvement over the conventional gas powered RAV4’s Cd of 0.35. To achieve this, Toyota restyled the front bumper, upper and lower grill, side mirrors, rear spoiler, and underbody design to optimize air flow. The Toyota/Tesla designed regenerative braking system increases driving range by up to 20 percent. A tire repair kit replaces the spare to reduce weight.
An innovative climate control system offers three modes. In the NORMAL mode, it operates just like that of a conventional vehicle for maximum comfort, drawing the most power and resulting in the least range. The ECO LO mode balances comfort with improved range through reduced power consumption by the blower, air conditioning compressor, or electric heater. In cold weather, ECO LO automatically activates and controls seat heaters to optimal levels. ECO HI further reduces blower, compressor, and heater levels and also automatically activates the seat heaters as necessary. Efficiency achievements are notable. ECO LO can reduce power consumption by up to 18 percent compared with NORMAL, while ECO HI offers up to a 40 percent reduction. Remote Climate Control – set by a timer, by the navigation display, or by using a smart phone – pre-cools or pre-heats the interior while the vehicle is plugged into the grid to save on-board battery power.
Driving efficiently is assisted with an all-new instrument cluster that includes a power meter, driving range display, battery gauge, speedometer, shift indicator, and multi-information display. The latter has six screens that provide information on driving range, efficiency, trip efficiency, CO2 reduction, and ECO coach and AUX power functions. Trip efficiency displays the average power consumption in intervals of five minutes. Eco coach evaluates the level of eco-sensitive driving according to acceleration, speed, and braking and displays an overall score. CO2 reduction, displayed graphically via a growing tree, is compared to a conventional gasoline vehicle.
Premium Intellitouch Navigation features EV system screens that help maximize driving range. The EV Charging schedule lets customers schedule when the vehicle will charge and activates pre-climate conditioning based on departure time. A Range Map shows how far the car can travel on available battery charge. A Charging Station app displays nearby charging stations.
For the shortest charge time of about six hours, Leviton offers a custom 240 volt, Level 2 charger with 40 amp / 9.6 kilowatt output. The RAV4 EV comes equipped with a 120 volt Level 1 charging cable operating at 12 amps for use when the recommended Level 2 charging is not available.
The RAV4 EV comes standard with the STAR Safety System that includes enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brake system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. While the RAV4 EV is pricy at $49,800, that price decreases a bit since it qualifies for a $2,500 rebate through California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program as well as a $7,500 federal tax credit. Toyota plans to sell about 2,600 units through 2014.
